West Coast Eagles vs Port Adelaide Power Verdict
West Coast have exceeded expectations with four wins in the first half of the season, one better than Port Adelaide. The earlier meeting between the two sides this season was decided by just two points and another close one is tipped with Power to get revenge.
- The Eagles defeated Port Adelaide earlier this season.
- The Power are ranked fourth for defence and have lost four matches by three points or less.
- Corey Durdin has kicked seven goals in his past three matches against the Eagles.
- Zak Butters has had 30+ disposals in nine of his last 10 matches
Head to Head Stats
The two sides met earlier this season and it was West Coast that handed Port Adelaide a two-point defeat at Adelaide Oval, snapping a four-match losing streak against the Power.
They have not met at Optus Stadium since 2021 and it was the Eagles by 37 points in that match.
West Coast Eagles Form - Improving Eagles
West Coast come off a promising last three rounds, defeating GWS three weeks ago before knocking over the lowly Essendon side by 30 points last weekend. A competitive 10-point loss to Collingwood in front of 90,000 fans is sandwiched between those two results.
The win against Essendon was set up by better ball use. They went down in clearances but defended well and capitalised on turnover, generating 55 inside 50s to 40 in the 12.13 (85) to 8.7 (55) scoreline in tough conditions at Optus Stadium.
A major factor behind the improvement has been the form of Reuben Ginbey. The key defender continues to develop into one of the competition's premier intercept players and has helped stabilise a backline that was leaking scores earlier in the season.
Tim Kelly had one of his better games of the season, while a host of Eagles had 25 or more disposals. Harley Reid had 24 and lit up the crowd with a classy goal in the second quarter.
Jake Waterman booted three goals and has hit that mark in three of his past four matches, while Milan Murdock also bobbed up with three.
Tom McCarthy continued his consistent form and has had 25+ disposals in two of his past three matches, while Tim Kelly has had 25+ in three of his last five, reaching 24 in another.
Port Adelaide Power Form - Tight Losses For Power
Port Adelaide have a win-loss record of 3-8 this season and have lost their past four. The past two have been against Gold Coast (25 points) and Carlton (34 points).
The Power have been on the receiving end of some agonisingly close losses, going down by three points or less on four occasions.
Jason Horne-Francis had 32 disposals and kicked three goals against Carlton, while Zak Butters had 28 disposals. The 28 by Butters ended a streak of nine consecutive matches in which he recorded 30+ disposals.
The Power lack depth and have an over-reliance on players such as Butters and Horne-Francis, as well as Mitch Georgiades up forward and Aliir Aliir in the backline.
Georgiades has kicked just one goal in each of his past two but had registered 2+ in every match prior to those for a total of 27 for the season.
West Coast Eagles Team News
Former Brisbane premiership defender Brandon Starcevich makes his Eagles debut.
Port Adelaide Power Team News
Three changes, with Lachie Jones, Jackson Mead and Tom Cochrane returning.